Dear Editor,
This week’s budget speech by Senior Minister, Dr. Singh, was very clear and eloquent. I enjoy hearing him speak since our days together at Queen’s College. The thoroughness of the budget, as it pertains to each sector of our economy, and pillar of our society, is commendable. My only area of concern has to do with our sea defence and water management systems. Five billion dollars to add canals, similar to the Hope Canal in Region 4, is a good step in the correct direction, but given that even with Hope Canal severe flooding in Region 4 still occurs, we must look beyond this approach as an acceptable long term solution. The funds allocated for sea defence should be able to carry out the planned work, and, in addition it should be able to start the development of the engineering plans needed to build a stronger sea wall and water management system along the Atlantic coast. It is time to bring on board a strong engineering team, or firm, to develop the long term solutions needed, so that the cost estimates can be completed, the funds secured, and implementation started. Materials’ costs will continue to increase in the future, thus making the timing of execution very important. We must approach the development and implementation of a holistic sea defence and water management plan with an increased sense of urgency. Otherwise, the planned investments along the Atlantic coast will be at risk due to future severe flooding.
Sincerely,
Jamil Changlee
Chairman
The Cooperative Republicans of Guyana
